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Thursday night the Portage Health Hospice staff recognized its Hospice Volunteer of the Year, awarded two volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and recognized 32 hospice volunteers during their annual appreciation dinner.

Hospice Volunteer of the Year Delores Kotajarvi accepts her award as the 2013 Hospice Volunteer of the Year. Kotajarvi volunteer more than 300 hours in the past year, and was also recognized with the Bronze Level President's Volunteer Service Award.

“We’re extremely grateful for everything our volunteers do,” said Marianne Berghefer, Portage Health Hospice Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator. “Tonight is all about thanking these volunteers and recognizing the work they do for our hospice patients and their families.”

Portage Health Hospice volunteer Delores Kotajarvi was named the Portage Health Hospice Volunteer of the Year because of her dedication to her patients. She also received the Bronze Level President’s Volunteer Service Award for volunteering more than 300 hours.

“Delores connects so well with our patients,” Berghefer said, “Her service has been invaluable to Portage Health Hospice. She is an inspiration to her fellow hospice volunteers.”

Kristen Gabby was also recognized Thursday with the Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award for her 250 hours of volunteer work. In total, Portage Health Hospice volunteers have given more than 1,000 hours of service during the past year.

“Each and every one of them does amazing things,” Berghefer said. “We want to thank them and all of the volunteers in our community that make the Copper Country such a wonderful place to call home.”